Valve trim

Abstract

A valve trim includes a body having a plurality of parallel flow passages extending from a first end of the body to a second end of the body, opposite the first end. Each flow passage includes a throat and an expansion chamber and each throat is nested between the expansion chambers of directly adjacent flow passages.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A valve trim, comprising:
 a body having a plurality of parallel flow passages extending from a first end of the body to a second end of the body, opposite the first end; wherein 
 each flow passage includes a throat and an expansion chamber adjacent the throat longitudinally along a direction of flow; and 
 wherein each throat is nested between the expansion chambers of directly adjacent flow passages; and 
 further wherein each throat has a constant square cross-sectional shape and each expansion chamber has a first section having a constant octagonal cross-sectional shape. 
 
     
     
       2. The valve trim of  claim 1 , wherein each expansion chamber is offset in the direction of flow from the expansion chambers of directly adjacent flow passages such that each expansion chamber is directly adjacent the throats of directly adjacent flow passages in a direction perpendicular to the direction of flow. 
     
     
       3. The valve trim of  claim 1 , wherein the body is a single, unitary piece. 
     
     
       4. The valve trim of  claim 1 , wherein each expansion chamber has a second section having the octagonal cross-sectional shape of the first section at a first end of the second section and tapers to the square cross-sectional shape of the throat at a second end of the second section. 
     
     
       5. The valve trim of  claim 1 , wherein:
 each throat has four sides, each having a first length; and 
 each first section of each expansion chamber includes four sides that are parallel to each of the sides of the respective throat and have a second length that is the same the first length. 
 
     
     
       6. A ball valve including the valve trim of  claim 1 , the ball valve comprising:
 a valve body having an inlet and an outlet; and 
 a valve plug positioned within the valve body and rotatable between an open position and a closed position; wherein 
 the valve trim is positioned within the valve plug and rotates with the valve plug. 
 
     
     
       7. A ball valve including the valve trim of  claim 1 , the ball valve comprising:
 a valve body having an inlet and an outlet; and 
 a valve plug positioned within the valve body and rotatable between an open position and a closed position; wherein 
 the valve trim has a first section positioned in the outlet and a second section that extends from the first section and into the valve plug. 
 
     
     
       8. A butterfly valve including a valve trim, comprising:
 the valve trim including: 
 a body having a plurality of parallel flow passages extending from a first end of the body to a second end of the body, opposite the first end; wherein 
 each flow passage includes a throat and an expansion chamber adjacent the throat longitudinally along a direction of flow; and 
 each throat is nested between the expansion chambers of directly adjacent flow passages; and 
 the butterfly valve including: 
 a valve body having an inlet and an outlet; and 
 a valve disc positioned within the valve body and rotatable between a closed position, in which the valve disc engages a valve seat and prevents fluid flow between the inlet and the outlet, and an opened position, in which the valve disc is spaced apart from the valve seat and allows fluid flow between the inlet and the outlet; 
 wherein the valve trim is positioned within the outlet, downstream from the valve disc; and 
 further wherein the first end of the valve trim has a concave, arcuate shape that corresponds to an outer surface of the valve disc. 
 
     
     
       9. A valve trim, comprising:
 a body having a plurality of parallel flow passages extending from a first end of the body to a second end of the body, opposite the first end; wherein 
 each flow passage includes a throat and an expansion chamber; and 
 each throat has a constant square cross-sectional shape and each expansion chamber has a first section having a constant octagonal cross-sectional shape. 
 
     
     
       10. The valve trim of  claim 9 , wherein the body is a single, unitary piece. 
     
     
       11. The valve trim of  claim 9 , wherein each expansion chamber has a second section having the octagonal cross-sectional shape of the first section at a first end of the second section and tapers to the square cross-sectional shape of the throat at a second end of the second section. 
     
     
       12. The valve trim of  claim 11 , wherein each throat is nested between the expansion chambers of directly adjacent flow passages. 
     
     
       13. The valve trim of  claim 12 , wherein each expansion chamber is offset in a direction of flow from the expansion chambers of directly adjacent flow passages such that each expansion chamber is directly adjacent the throats of directly adjacent flow passages in a direction perpendicular to the direction of flow. 
     
     
       14. The valve trim of  claim 9 , wherein:
 each throat has four sides, each having a first length; and 
 each first section of each expansion chamber includes four sides that are parallel to each of the sides of the respective throat and have a second length that is the same the first length. 
 
     
     
       15. A ball valve including the valve trim of  claim 9 , the ball valve comprising:
 a valve body having an inlet and an outlet; and 
 a valve plug positioned within the valve body and rotatable between an open position and a closed position; wherein 
 the valve trim is positioned within the valve plug and rotates with the valve plug. 
 
     
     
       16. A ball valve including the valve trim of  claim 9 , the ball valve comprising:
 a valve body having an inlet and an outlet; and 
 a valve plug positioned within the valve body and rotatable between an open position and a closed position; wherein 
 the valve trim has a first section positioned in the outlet and a second section that extends from the first section and into the valve plug. 
 
     
     
       17. A butterfly valve including the valve trim of  claim 9 , the butterfly valve comprising:
 a valve body having an inlet and an outlet; and 
 a valve disc positioned within the valve body and rotatable between a closed position, in which the valve disc engages a valve seat and prevent fluid flow between the inlet and the outlet, and an opened position, in which the valve disc is spaced apart from the valve seat and allows fluid flow between the inlet and the outlet; wherein 
 the valve trim is positioned within the outlet, downstream from the valve disc. 
 
     
     
       18. The butterfly valve of  claim 17 , wherein the first end of the valve trim has a concave, arcuate shape that corresponds to an outer surface of the valve disc.